Chandigarh: The examination-in-chief of complainant Aakash Batta began in the corruption case involving suspended Punjab Police DIG H.S. Bhullar before the CBI Special Court in Chandigarh.
At the previous hearing, Special Judge Bhavna Jain had allowed the CBI’s application to summon Batta as the next prosecution witness in the case.
The FIR was registered on Batta’s complaint, alleging that Bhullar, then DIG of the Ropar range, had demanded a bribe through a private intermediary, Krishanu Sharda, in exchange for providing relief in an FIR registered at Sirhind police station and not taking strict action against Batta’s business.
Following the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and arrested Krishanu Sharda on October 16, 2025, while he was allegedly accepting ₹5 lakh as the first instalment of the demanded bribe. Bhullar was also arrested the same day. A chargesheet was subsequently filed under Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
During his testimony, Batta said he had been running a scrap-dealing business in Mandi Gobindgarh, Fatehgarh Sahib, since 2013. A case had been registered against him at Sirhind police station over allegations relating to fake bills and forged documents.
Batta said Krishanu already knew him and frequently claimed to have contacts with several senior officials. He also knew that Batta was under mental stress following the registration of the FIR, he said.
During the hearing, Batta identified Krishanu Sharda, who joined the proceedings through video conferencing as he was in ED custody. He also identified suspended DIG H.S. Bhullar, who was present in court.
